Group urges Marcos to veto Konektadong Pinoy Bill

The Federation of International Cable TV and Telecommunications Association of the Philippines (FICTAP) called on President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to veto Senate Bill No. 2699, or the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, amid what it says are "unaddressed concerns."

"I am appealing to our Congress and Senate and to the Office of the President, kung pwede i-veto itong Konektadong Pinoy Bill, hangga't hindi natin ma-address fully well lahat ng problema na hindi nila naipasok," FICTAP National Chair Estrellita Juliano-Tamano said.
(I am appealing to our Congress and Senate and to the Office of the President, if possible, to veto this Konektadong Pinoy Bill until all problems that they did not include are fully addressed.)

The bill, also known as the Open Access Transmission Act, has already been approved on third and final reading by the Senate last February 5. It aims to simplify the entry of service providers into the market, boost competition, and provide consumers more choices and affordable internet services.

FICTAP, however, expressed concerns about this and insisted that telcos should still face liabilities if it fails.

"They allow cable TV operators unregulated like what we are having now. Maski sino puwede nang mag-operate," said Juliano-Tamano.

(It will allow anyone to operate without proper regulations.)

Under the proposed measure, the DICT and the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) will jointly maintain and update a centralized database of data transmission infrastructure. The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) and the NTC will also be mandated to ensure that industry players are fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory in their dealings.

Marcos in January certified the said bill as urgent.

The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), where Globe Telecommunications Inc. is a member, also raised concerns about the bill, underscoring its potential to undermine fair competition and pose risks to national security.

"The bill’s exemption of data transmission providers from securing a congressional franchise and a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity creates an unequal regulatory environment, violating the principle of fair competition," it said.

Other groups have also expressed their concern over the bill due to security reasons, saying that some of its provisions are allegedly open to abuse.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), meanwhile, expressed optimism that the Konektadong Pinoy Bill will be approved by June once Congress resumes session following its break due to the midterm elections.

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), for its part, expressed support for the measure, saying it would drive the development of a competitive, affordable, and accessible telecommunications sector.

“This bill articulates the state policy on data inclusivity, introduces key reforms in the approval process of telecommunications companies, as well as mainstreams competition principles in the national comprehensive data transmission and connectivity framework,” PCC commissioner Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano said. —VAL, GMA Integrated News